Rogue cultivators had their pride, and the Jiao Brothers of Huai Mountain certainly had a measure of it too. But when faced with life and death, even they had no choice but to submit.
What's more, Young Master Zhen had given them a perfectly dignified way out—he wasn't asking them to serve as slaves or servants. He was offering them positions as Guest Grand Supreme Elders. What more could they ask for?
If they still refused to surrender after that, they'd be spurning kindness itself.
"Young Master Zhen, we brothers are willing to submit." The Jiao Brothers of Huai Mountain bowed their heads in allegiance.
"Is this what you truly want?" There was no trace of delight on Jiang Chen's face. "Let me repeat: the choice is yours. Once you've made your decision, you'll have to take responsibility for it. Fickleness and treachery have absolutely no place in my Peacock Sacred Mountain."
The Jiao Brothers were clever men. They understood that Young Master Zhen was forcing them to make a clear declaration.
"We brothers swear by Heaven: from this day forward, we shall join Peacock Sacred Mountain and remain loyal and devoted, following Young Master Zhen's lead in all things. If we betray this oath, may Heaven and Earth destroy us!"
Jiang Chen had given them a way out. If they still didn't take it, they'd be fools.
Such a declaration was the bare minimum they owed—they didn't hesitate for a moment.
With the Heavenly Oath sworn, the bond between them drew much closer.
"Good. From now on, you two are part of my Peacock Sacred Mountain." Jiang Chen chuckled and cupped his fists toward Emperor Huoyan. "You've all done your part, and our deal still stands. However, it seems there's still one piece of trouble that hasn't been dealt with. What do you all think?"
Jiang Chen gazed casually toward Emperor Asura's side. Under the combined assault of the Well Emperor, the Peerless Emperor, and the Blue Sea Emperor, Emperor Asura had completely lost all sense of order—he was surviving on pure instinct alone.
The Jiao Brothers grinned savagely. "Young Master Zhen, we've only just joined Peacock Sacred Mountain and haven't yet established any merit. We ought to present a token of allegiance of some kind. No need for Brother Huoyan and the others to lift a finger—just let us brothers handle it. That Asura is a spent force on his last legs."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Very well then. Emperor Huoyan and Emperor Ruoyi, I'll ask you to stand guard and watch for any chance he might escape!"
Though they all knew Emperor Asura was already cornered and couldn't possibly flee, Jiang Chen insisted on playing it safe. He absolutely could not let the tiger return to the mountains.
This mortal threat in Emperor Asura had to be eliminated today. Otherwise, he would remain a thorn in their side, causing trouble from time to time.
With the arrival of the Jiao Brothers, the battle became even more lopsided.
When Emperor Asura saw the Jiao Brothers running over, he assumed reinforcements had arrived. He had no attention to spare for what was happening over there, and he had no idea the two had switched sides.
He kept calling out: "You two, perfect timing! The three of us will push through together, break out of here, and come back another day to stage a comeback!"
The Jiao Brothers exchanged a glance, both silently amused. How had they ever followed this idiot to Glazed Royal City to make fools of themselves?
Without a word, they raised their weapons and charged straight at Emperor Asura.
Emperor Asura had absolutely no defenses against them—he was full of hope and expectation. Blindsided by the Jiao Brothers' furious assault, he couldn't react in time.
Five against one left Emperor Asura completely buried under the tide of attacks.
Screams rang out one after another. Emperor Asura's resistance crumbled steadily as his injuries mounted.
The Jiao Brothers, eager to show off their skills before Jiang Chen, attacked with even greater ferocity.
Individually, the Jiao Brothers were a notch below the Peerless Emperor. But fighting together in tandem, they were slightly stronger than the Peerless Emperor alone.
With such powerful reinforcements joining the fray, Emperor Asura had no choice but to endure the beating.
Boom!
Martial attacks struck Emperor Asura's dharma body simultaneously, shattering his Asura Life-and-Death Ring completely. Seven rings of purple light vanished into the void.
The Asura Life-and-Death Ring had been Emperor Asura's closest defensive treasure. With it broken, he was essentially facing the combined assault of five opponents with nothing but his bare body.
Another combined strike hammered into Emperor Asura. With his final fragmented mutterings, Emperor Asura was obliterated by that terrifying force and reduced to ashes.
The second-most powerful emperor in Glazed Royal City's history perished right before the gates of Peacock Sacred Mountain, reduced to flying ash on the spot.
The Well Emperor sheathed his treasured blade and chuckled. "Young Master Zhen, mission accomplished. With that, I can accept my Pine Crane Pill with a clear conscience."
Jiang Chen laughed. "Indeed. Thank you for your trouble."
The Well Emperor waved a hand. "Now that I have the Pine Crane Pill in hand, I won't be staying for this Dragon-Tiger Grand Assembly. I'll take my leave."
Clearly, the Well Emperor felt somewhat embarrassed by the day's events. Out of all the emperors, he alone had received his Pine Crane Pill first, while everyone else was still waiting in line.
This made him a little uncomfortable, so he planned to slip away early.
But Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Senior Hui, today's events were merely a small prelude. The real spectacle hasn't even begun yet, and you're already thinking of leaving? Even I would have to feel sorry for you, Senior."